ACA is committed to raising awareness, promoting understanding, increasing opportunities, and ensuring the vital role of counselling and psychotherapy is recognised.
We actively engage in advocacy efforts directed towards governmental bodies, stakeholders, and communities, emphasising the role that our Registered Counsellors and Psychotherapists play in improving mental health outcomes.
ACA commissioned Survey Matters, an independent research agency, to conduct the 2024 ACA Counsellor Workforce Census. As the only report of its kind for counsellors in Australia, it provides valuable insights and information on the demographics, employment profile, sector engagement, practice areas and working conditions for the counsellor workforce in Australia. The survey received an overwhelming response rate of one in five practicing ACA registered counsellors in Australia.
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ACA submitted a response to the Senate Inquiry on “Barriers to consistent, timely, and best practice assessment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and support services.” ACA outlined the role of Registered Counsellors as an under-utilised, qualified workforce to address the increasing demand for mental health services, specifically for ADHD. The submission presented standards, including education and supervised practice, and emphasised the need for government action to include Registered Counsellors as Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) providers. The ACA stressed the importance of addressing workforce shortages and improving accessibility and affordability within the ADHD community.
ACA submitted a consultation paper to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Annual Pricing Review addressing concerns and proposing changes to pricing and registration standards for Registered Counsellors and Psychotherapists. ACA emphasised discrepancies in therapy support pricing and recommended expanding registration groups for Registered Counsellors to cover various services. The submission also discussed the need for clarity in pricing and qualifications for specific services, such as psychosocial recovery coaching. ACA suggested improvements in NDIS registration processes, emphasising the role of peak bodies like ACA in ensuring compliance. The submission includes insights into the mental health workforce issues and proposed solutions.
ACA provided feedback to strengthen the Draft National Stigma and Discrimination Reduction Strategy and its proposed actions. Our feedback was supportive of the initiative to address stigma and discrimination associated with mental health in Australia and in agreeance with the four priorities around which the actions are developed. We supported the vision that the National Mental Health Commission are working to achieve with the Lived Experience workforce, however, advocated for relevant and appropriate mechanism be put in place to protect those working in the field and those who are receiving support.
The research report commissioned by the ACA delves into key demand and supply trends impacting Australia’s psychological services workforce, particularly under Better Access. Motivated by the need to analyse the potential contribution of various professional groups in addressing unmet demand, the report highlights sustained demand for psychological services. It emphasizes the underutilization of degree-qualified Registered Counsellors and Psychotherapists, highlighting their role in reducing unmet demand.